Northwest Clubbing Highlights – February 2016

Manchester

Kicking off February, you’ve got another top drawer booking from the guys at Inside Out, as they bring Linkwood to The Whiskey Jar on 5 Feb (£10), still hot off the back of last year’s Expressions LP. Expect a lot of range in this one, delivered by a true craftsman of machine boogie.

Meanwhile, the same night sees the lads at Zutekh fly in Kyle Hall from Detroit for another all-night slog at Soup Kitchen (5 Feb, £12.50). Here’s a lad whose approach is steeped in his hometown history, but who also adds his own fresh, experimental touch to production. Or, if you’re after something heavier, there’s also the Livity Sound showcase – featuring Kowton, Peverelist, Tessela and Hodge – at Hidden (£12.50) – where the very next day also gives you the chance to catch Gilles Peterson and Cooly G under the Banana Hill banner, celebrating the night’s inaugural outing across the two rooms (£14). 

Fast-forward to 12 Feb and two of NYC’s finest, Kenny Dope and David Morales, bring the love to the Albert Hall for the latest instalment of FAC51 (£22.50), while LTJ Bukem – a bona fide innovator who draws power from so many different musical fields – comes to Band on the Wall on the same night (£12.50). Completing a triumvirate of excellent events on that date, Rhythm Theory and Mantra Live provide a stage for techno stalwart Inigo Kennedy and up and coming Concrete resident Antigon, both being Token Records alumni (£10/£12)

Black Bee Soul Club kick off their 2016 on 19 Fe at recently re-named hive Aatma (£5 OTD), before So Flute’s fourth birthday shindig the next day, at Salford's First Chop Brewing Arm. Helping the lads mark the occasion, they’ve recruited a highly knowledgeable selector in the form of Red Greg (20 Feb, £5). Wonderful value, that.

There’s a nice Scot-centric line-up at Hidden on 26 Feb, including DABJ, Harri & Domenic and Jasper James (£11.50). Dog Eat Dog bring in Slow Life’s Laurine to mark their second birthday, and her first appearance in Manchester. Good stuff coming out on that label, get yersel down for £5. Also on that date, Ruf Dug welcomes Canadian beatmaker Project Pablo to the Soup Kitchen basement for the February chapter of Dancers Wanted (£5).

Wrapping things up for Manchester's month in clubs on 27 Feb , Eastern Bloc present Freerotation runners and modular wizards Steevio and Suzybee at Mantra Live (£7).  

Liverpool

Over in Liverpool, Abandon Silence begin the year at Camp and Furnace on 5 Feb, welcoming the supreme mixing talents of Joy O and Hunee to mark the occasion (£15).

The following day, Sat 6 Feb, sees respected Perlon and Berghain favourite Margaret Dygas take to the Buyers Club booth, an ideal night for anyone into the more experimental / minimal side of house and techno (£12). That night also sees Hustle welcome Frenchman Phil Weeks to the Comedy Cellar (£9); whereas Meine Nacht bring in Frits Wentink and Kornél Kovács to an old police station just outside the city centre (also £9), as part of their live-streamed Unseen Places project – keep an eye on their Facebook page for details. 

The week after, on Fri 12 Feb, Selective Hearing begin their new Liverpool venture by welcoming Boddika to the Buyers Club (£15), before the amazing Mount Kimbie and Young Marco get behind the decks at Camp and Furnace on 19 Feb – decent bang for your buck at £12. 

That’s all folks, choose wisely.